Oklahoma woman Christine Echohawk faces up to 62 years in prison after allegedly scamming elderly women out of $1.5 million by posing as fictitious men in elaborate online romance schemes.

At a Glance

• Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, allegedly targeted women aged 64-79 by creating fake male personas to establish romantic relationships
• Victims were convinced to send large sums including $600,000 from a home sale and $120,000 for a non-existent oil vessel
• The scheme was uncovered when a bank flagged suspicious transactions as potential senior fraud
• Echohawk allegedly converted victims’ money to cryptocurrency before transferring it to someone using the alias “Maurice Deniro”
• She faces multiple felony charges with potential penalties of up to 62 years imprisonment and $260,000 in fines

Elaborate Scheme Targeted Vulnerable Seniors

Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, from Oklahoma, allegedly orchestrated a sophisticated romance scam operation that defrauded elderly women living outside Oklahoma of approximately $1.5 million. According to investigators, Echohawk created multiple fictional male personas, including “Jason Morris,” “Edward Lotts,” and “Glenn Goddard,” to develop emotional connections with women between the ages of 64 and 79. After establishing trust through online relationships, she would manufacture scenarios requiring urgent financial assistance.

The scheme began in April 2023 when Echohawk, using the alias “Edward Lotts,” convinced one victim to sell her home and send approximately $600,000 to resolve a fabricated debt. In another instance, a victim was persuaded to transfer $120,000 for an imaginary oil vessel. Victims sent funds in various forms including cash, gift cards, and cashier’s checks, believing they were helping romantic partners in desperate situations.

An Oklahoma woman accused of using romance scams to steal $1.5M from elderly women is now facing money laundering charges.
Investigators say she posed as several men to get cash, gift cards and wire transfers.

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— News 9 (@NEWS9) April 11, 2025

Money Laundering and Cryptocurrency Conversions

Investigators report that Echohawk took calculated steps to conceal the source of the fraudulently obtained funds. After receiving money from victims, she allegedly laundered it through various accounts before converting it to cryptocurrency. These digital assets were then reportedly transferred to an unidentified individual using the name “Maurice Deniro” or “Maurice Dinero,” whom Echohawk claimed was her own online romantic interest.

“These types of scams that target seniors are especially egregious,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

The scheme temporarily paused in January 2024 when Echohawk apparently became aware of law enforcement scrutiny. However, by October, she had allegedly resumed her activities under the alias “Jason Morris.” The investigation accelerated when staff at Stillwater MidFirst Bank flagged suspicious transactions that appeared consistent with senior fraud, alerting authorities and triggering an investigation by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit.

An Oklahoma woman who used online romance scams to steal $1.5 million has been charged with laundering money, police said Thursday.

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— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 10, 2025

Serious Charges and Growing Problem

Echohawk now faces four counts of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and one count of violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. If convicted, she could receive up to 62 years in prison and $260,000 in fines. She has been held in the Pawnee County Jail since her arrest, with no information currently available regarding legal representation. The case highlights the growing concern about romance scams targeting vulnerable seniors.

According to the FBI, confidence and romance schemes resulted in losses exceeding $600 million in 2023 alone. Law enforcement officials emphasize the importance of vigilance when engaging in online relationships, particularly for seniors who are often specifically targeted by scammers. Experts advise extreme caution when anyone met online requests financial assistance, regardless of how convincing or desperate their situation may appear.